July 51 Type 15A Karmann Kabriolet – it’s a bit of a project

bally · Last edited by bally on Sat Apr 28, 2012 6:52 pm; edited 1 time in total

Introducing my July 1951 Type 15A Karmann Kabriolet – it’s a bit of a project!

I’ve got my work cut out with this beauty but have the vision to how it will look in the end. It’s a car I’ve always dreamt of owning so I’m obviously delighted to have one (or some parts to start building one from). It is missing most parts so I have a massive parts hunt on for pre-52 parts, especially the Kabrio only parts - I need to create a parts list I need so watch this space…

The big question is where to source the best, most accurate repair panels from?

I’ll be ordering pan halves and heater channels from Klassic Fab as opinion seems to be that these are the most accurate representations of the original available. I’m not made of money unfortunately so cannot afford to seek out NOS repair panels throughout so need to buy the best panels I can, be they original panels cut from a donor car or top quality aftermarket repair panels. I know Wolf, Virtanen, Hooky and AutoCraft all make excellent panels but not necessarily all the panels I need so where do you suggest I source panels from?

The front end’s had at least one knock in its life so needs a bit of work there (I already have a Wolf front panel) but I have concerns about repairing the area the fuel tank sits in – does anyone make such a repair panel or will I need to source that from a donor vehicle? How about rear quarter lower repair panels – these are readily available but which ones fit the best? The same question goes for the front inner wings and outer lower quarters.

The corners of the parcel area behind the rear seat will also need addressing – does anyone make a decent repair panel for these areas? How about the heater pipes under the rear seat?

I’m keen to retain as much of the original vehicle as possible and use genuine VW panels as far as possible so don’t really want to buy a solid saloon shell and transfer all the Kabriolet parts to it. Let me know if you have any og metal that would help me on this project please – don’t worry about how we’ll ship it at this stage; just let me know what’s out there and I’ll try and figure out how to get it shipped.

I don’t have the welding skills to tackle this myself but do have a skilled welder on board to undertake the bulk of the work and I hope to improve my welding along the way.

Have a look at the following pictures to see the scale of the project. Progress will be slow and hence updates will not be daily but I will post updates as and when I have something to add. Stage one will be to install the pan halves and put a rolling chassis together. Stage two will be to repair the doors (the bottom has rotted out of each door) so we can install the body on the chassis, install the doors and get them aligned before fitting the heater channels and other panels as and when I can afford to buy them and pay for them to be fitted.

Dash repair needed around semaphore switch hole:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Fuel tank surround has been altered:

Doors are crusty but repairable - I have my eye on Virtanen's door botom repair panels for these:

bally · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 1:25 pm Post subject:

bally · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 1:25 pm Post subject:

mdvanderploeg · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 2:04 pm Post subject:

Wow, that's a gutsy project! Glad to see it's being tackled. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

g4rfy · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 2:19 pm Post subject:

I certainly take my hat off to you Mr Ball! Applause

Look forward to being a passenger in this along the sea front!

Any help you need, as ever, give me a shout although I think this is way beyond my tool box full of hammers!

G Dancing

peter schepens · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 3:06 pm Post subject:

Nice project.
Could you send me the nrs please to add it to the registry at www.karmann.1952.de
Thanks Peter
_________________
Zelensis, glassfibre body made in Belgium , disigned and built on a VW platform About 25 body's built.
Hebmuller info wanted for http://www.hebmueller-registry.com/home.html

bally · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 3:33 pm Post subject:

silvertonguedevil · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 4:50 pm Post subject:

While that baby looks rough, I'm glad to see you've got the car you've always wanted and also that you're willing to take this one on. The best advice I can give you is just tackle it one project at a time. Work on one section and then move onto the next one once it's completed. You'll get there! Good luck!!
_________________
-Greg

ZwitterND · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 5:43 pm Post subject:

Dude....sweet patina!
_________________
Bill

laneven28 · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:35 pm Post subject:

You've definately got your work cut out for you, but what a great project! I'll be watching this one closely.
_________________
1950 Pearl Grey Hoffman Standard Split Window
1954 Iceland Green Euro 3-Fold Oval
1955 Strato Silver Transitional 3-Fold Oval
1956 Iris Blue Convertible
1958 Pearl White Lowlight KG Convertible
1961 Turkis Ragtop

[email protected] · Samba Member Joined: September 22, 2002 Posts: 1244

I got my floors for my 50 vert from Gerson they are perfect.
I think he is the only one making pre 55 floors right now.
I planing on having my 50 back together this spring/summer also.

Rich's 50 · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 10:15 pm Post subject:

I remember they were selling that from spain on the samba...Nice project

bally · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 2:54 am Post subject:

bally · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 2:55 am Post subject:

bally · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 5:15 am Post subject:

LANGEBERG · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 6:32 am Post subject:

http://www.griebel.blogspot.com/2012_04_01_archive.html

The one from spain is now in my garage in denmark

bally · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 9:57 am Post subject:

Rich's 50 · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 10:10 am Post subject:

Sorry for the confusion on my part...Bally if you need any parts i might have a couple of pieces left over so please pm me and congratulations o such a rare VW

vwrobert · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 11:51 am Post subject:

I can supply you with a pair of chassis rails to 50s spec. Looks like yours are missing,

Gutsy project if i may say... Good luck.
I have a rear tack strip section from a 58 if its any good to you.

_________________
1973 1303 RHD Vert Project

WWW.TheVolksmeister.Com

bally · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 11:55 am Post subject:

Thanks Robert,

you will be supplying the support rails - I just haven't got round to emailing you yet. I recall your sister lives not too far from me so we should talk about any trips you have planned down this way if that might save me a bit on shipping Wink

Cheers,

Dave


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July 51 Type 15A Karmann Kabriolet – it’s a bit of a project
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